This couple give a very marked illustration of how vaudeville has progressed, and some of the old-timers have been left behind while the procession has gone on. This act is very “burlesquey,” and I would much rather have seen it in the opposition house than on my own stage. 17 minutes opens in one goes to full stage, closes in one.
The Mosconi Brothers are supposed to give us a new act. They are giving two new dances in fantastic costumes, which mean nothing at all, presented with quite an elaborate drop which adds nothing to their work. They finish with their old Charlie Chaplin and man and woman comedy dance which went very well indeed. I would rather have the old act. 8 minutes in one and a half.
Skating act. While these people deserve credit for their effort to get out of the usual rut of skating acts and introduce a number of dances with particularly effective costumes and scenery, the fact remains that their work is not as effective as their former skating act. 9 minutes full stage.
Comedy juggling act. Not just the thing to close a first class bill, but on account of the large salary of the 4 Mortons, I decided to cheat a little. The Wheelers got by all right. Held the audience, got some applause and laughter. 10 Min. F.S.
Well-known story teller. Bush had an awful row to hoe, following cyclonic act of the 4 Mortons, but he did very well indeed. Some of his material is not as new as it should be but in the main, the stories are new and he was received with approval. 15 Min. in One.
To say that the Mortons were a riot would be expressing it very mildly. I don’t know when an act has gone with such a furore as they did today. From their first entrance until their final exit the audience were either laughing or applauding. I think it is unquestionably the best real variety act in the business. I shall be greatly disappointed if they don’t pull a great week’s business for us. 28 Min. Open in One. Close F.S.
While Mr. Deagon has a very good act, it was rather a disappointment to me because of the many serious moments in it. He is trying to do an Albert Chevalier turn. He opens with a straight Ballad, then does a little comedy, mingled with some singing bits, then an old gardner in a very serious song about a little girl, then a little more comedy. There are no big laughs in his act at all, and if anyone is looking for a big laugh in the bill, this is not it. For that reason, I am disappointed. 22 minutes. Opens in one. Does a bit in two. A short close in one.
In a very clever comedy sketch called “Me and Mary,” introducing a little singing. Mr. Swift plays his part very well indeed and is ably assisted by Miss Kelly. The act could easily go down the bill a couple of notches. Worth playing anywhere. 18 minutes full stage. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ACT DOES NOT CLOSE IN ONE, although their agent told me it did.
In their new act which they term, “Around the Compass.” This is an arrangement of songs and dances of the North, East, South and West, giving a chance for many changes of costume and scenery. Naturally, the dancing is a most important feature of the act, but Mr. Simon Neary is a very fine vocalist and adds materially to the whole. The act repeated the same success here that it has credited with in other places that it has played. In fact, it is a much bigger hit than the “Six American Dancers” ever were here. 22 minutes opens full stage closes with 3 minutes in one. There is nothing to “strike” in the act when they finish with their full stage work, only drops to be taken up, this, leaving the stage clear for anything that might follow. We have quite an elaborate set following them this week and are making it without any trouble.
The man appears as sort of a refined comedian and the girl of the present day chorus girl type, in an act of talking and singing an a little dance step at the finish. Not very much of an act in my mind, and doesn’t get very far with the audience. 17 minutes in one.
